Residents may vote by an absentee ballot by requesting one, completing it according to the enclosed instructions, and returning it in the envelopes provided. Absentee ballots must arrive by election day.
Absentee ballots may be mailed to a voter, completed in person, or completed via agent delivery. Residents who are overseas or active military are also able to vote absentee.
By mail
To request an absentee ballot for 2025 elections, use the online Minnesota Absentee Ballot Request or one of downloadable applications below:
Absentee Ballot Application
Large Print Absentee Application
Return the forms by:
- Mail to:
Administration Center
Attn: Elections
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343
- Email scanned document to
elections@co.dakota.mn.us
- Fax to
651-438-4391
- Bringing application to a county or municipal office
Mailed absentee ballots
Requested absentee ballots will be sent as quickly as possible. Initial mailings of absentee ballots for most elections take place 46 days before the election. Absentee ballots for March township elections will be sent 30 days before the election. Be sure to review the enclosed instructions, complete your absentee ballot, sign your signature envelope and return it in the provided envelope postmarked by Election Day.
Agent delivery
In special situations, you may ask an agent to pick up and deliver your ballot materials in the seven days prior to an election day. To qualify for agent delivery, you must meet one of the following:
- Live in a nursing home, assisted living facility, residential treatment center, women's shelter or group home
- Be hospitalized
- Be unable to go to the polling place due to incapacitating health reasons or disability.
An agent must be over the age of 18, have a personal relationship to you, and cannot be a candidate on the ballot.
For more information and the appropriate forms, go to
mnvotes.org.
If you’re not registered
If your registration is not current or complete, a voter registration application will be included with your absentee ballot materials. The completed voter registration application must be returned with your voted ballot.
Options for uniformed & overseas citizens
Dakota County voters who are overseas including those in the military, their spouses, or others may vote by absentee ballot using the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. For more information, go to the
Minnesota Military and Overseas Voters website and complete the form online. Print out a copy of the form and send it to:
Administration Center
Attn: Elections
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343
Military personnel, their families and citizens living outside the United States (including Canada and Mexico) may have application requests submitted by the voter, voter's parents, spouse, sibling or child over the age of 18 years. Applications can be submitted in person at the Administration Center, Western Service Center and Northern Service Center.
Additional voting information and resources for Americans living abroad can be found at the Administration Center or the
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot.